Rebuild or Replace? 327/350
#1
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Rebuild or Replace? 327/350
Hello from cool TX!
I have a new-er owner 65 convertible 327/350 with almost 90,000 miles. The car is numbers matching with white exterior, red dash and carpets with white seats as ordered from the factory. The car has been painted once and to my knowledge the engine has not been bored or altered.
This is not a show car, rather a driver, but in good shape.
One of the cylinders has low compression and there appears to be some damage to one cylinder head, same side with low compression cylinder.
I am debating on have the engine rebuilt, with an in-series numbered head, which I have already, or to pull the original motor and install a 350/383.
I am looking for direction from the forum on what would be best for the overall value of the vehicle. I know I would enjoy the new motor more over a rebuild, but I am not opposed to have the original motor rebuilt.
I have debated the topic enough internally and want some outside opinions.
Thanks
I have a new-er owner 65 convertible 327/350 with almost 90,000 miles. The car is numbers matching with white exterior, red dash and carpets with white seats as ordered from the factory. The car has been painted once and to my knowledge the engine has not been bored or altered.
This is not a show car, rather a driver, but in good shape.
One of the cylinders has low compression and there appears to be some damage to one cylinder head, same side with low compression cylinder.
I am debating on have the engine rebuilt, with an in-series numbered head, which I have already, or to pull the original motor and install a 350/383.
I am looking for direction from the forum on what would be best for the overall value of the vehicle. I know I would enjoy the new motor more over a rebuild, but I am not opposed to have the original motor rebuilt.
I have debated the topic enough internally and want some outside opinions.
Thanks
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matthaney06 (08-21-2017)
#3
Team Owner
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If it doesn't smoke, knock or leak, why not just drive on?
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matthaney06 (08-21-2017)
#4
Very pretty car, I agree with both posters above.
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matthaney06 (08-21-2017)
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matthaney06 (08-21-2017)
#6
Team Owner
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If the car is highly original and in good condition, I would strongly lean towards a nice crate engine, while preserving the running, not yet damaged original numbers-matching block.
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matthaney06 (08-21-2017)
#7
Team Owner
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2015 C2 of Year Finalist
part it out.
rebuild the original and move on
rebuild the original and move on
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matthaney06 (08-21-2017)
#8
Burning Brakes
My 2 cents; Why not pull the heads, inspect the bores, rebuild the heads or replace the defective one. Put it back together and drive it. You might be surprised.
Keep us informed.
Keep us informed.
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matthaney06 (08-21-2017)
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matthaney06 (08-21-2017)
#10
Melting Slicks
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2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2017 C2 of Year Finalist
IMHO the 327 350 engine is the best engine ever in a Corvette. It combines very good power with smoothness, dependability, and durability. It also sounds very nice. Rebuild it, no question. No fit problems, no strange noises. No "what's going on now", all of which you'll get with a crate...
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matthaney06 (08-21-2017)
#12
Team Owner
I'd rebuild it in a flash.
I wonder how many times somebody mothballs an original motor to replace it with a crate mill and the old motor just corrodes away or becomes separated from the car...
You have the old motor on an engine stand, then it gets in the way in the garage, it goes to a storage shed...some misfortune happens and the thing disappears into history.
I wouldn't have to think about the decision more than a millisecond.
I wonder how many times somebody mothballs an original motor to replace it with a crate mill and the old motor just corrodes away or becomes separated from the car...
You have the old motor on an engine stand, then it gets in the way in the garage, it goes to a storage shed...some misfortune happens and the thing disappears into history.
I wouldn't have to think about the decision more than a millisecond.
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matthaney06 (08-21-2017)
#13
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Any issue posted here is always met with the usual cascade of those willing to spend other's money for what gain?
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matthaney06 (08-21-2017)
#14
Team Owner
I didn't see where the poster asked us to consider the 'do nothing' option...
Last edited by Frankie the Fink; 08-21-2017 at 06:23 PM.
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matthaney06 (08-22-2017)
#15
Safety Car
I had my L-79 and 4 speed rebuilt. The stock combo ran and shifted good.
Now they are in the corner of my garage and I am running a SBC 400 with at TKO 600. It is a blast to drive. Just saying.
Now they are in the corner of my garage and I am running a SBC 400 with at TKO 600. It is a blast to drive. Just saying.
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matthaney06 (08-21-2017)
#16
Drifting
Engine
The question was what retains the most value, that would be keeping it original. Have you done a leakdown test on the offending cylinder to narrow the problem down? There are plenty of 90k mile 327s out there with lots of life.
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matthaney06 (08-21-2017)
#17
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You've basically answered your own question: It's matching numbers now. You have a correct replacement head. What's best for overall value? Fixing the engine that's in the car now. It's correct, it's the right fit, and it's a 327.....arguably the sweetest SBC ever produced. No-brainer.
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matthaney06 (08-21-2017)
#19
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Retaining the stock motor will retain the most value, if that's important.
What's wrong with the head? Does the motor run well, otherwise? Does it burn oil?
Depending on what you know about the problem with the head, I'd consider just removing the heads and having them redone. That's an easy, cheap option and it may fix things. If it doesn't, you can pull the motor and have the short block rebuilt. By doing this in two stages you may save money and time and even if you end up having to go through the whole motor you're only out the labor of R&Ring the heads plus an upper gasket set.
I'd surely do a leak down or compression test with and without some oil to try to isolate the problem better, first, though.
What's wrong with the head? Does the motor run well, otherwise? Does it burn oil?
Depending on what you know about the problem with the head, I'd consider just removing the heads and having them redone. That's an easy, cheap option and it may fix things. If it doesn't, you can pull the motor and have the short block rebuilt. By doing this in two stages you may save money and time and even if you end up having to go through the whole motor you're only out the labor of R&Ring the heads plus an upper gasket set.
I'd surely do a leak down or compression test with and without some oil to try to isolate the problem better, first, though.
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matthaney06 (08-22-2017)
#20
Drifting
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St. Jude Donor '09 & '11
Rebuild the original - it'll take up less room in your garage than keeping the original and dropping in a crate motor. I just finished an upgrade to my numbers matching 327/300 (heads, carb, intake, exhaust manifolds, etc.) and you wouldn't believe all the parts I have to store in case anyone ever wants to return it to original! You've already got a 327/350 - that should be plenty fun when refreshed!
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matthaney06 (08-22-2017)